AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2635, 1 June 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AMERICA

A resident of Buenos Ayres writes to a friend in Dunedin as follows :

I have been delighted at the joyous tone of your letter. It makes mc glad to sec that you have thrown off the "dark

months" and put on a gay and festive vestment. One's life here is a most unenviable one—alone in a foreign land,

amongst strange people ; to wake each daily morning to view again the miserable haunts of a vile race of men who know not the lows of Nature nor of God. I am now in the desert down among the Patagonians. It is a long time since I

have seen the face of a white man, and longer since I have been in Buenos Ayres. This country has completely changed. The old state of things has passed away, and all is now English or French fashions. The Guachos and inhabitants of the pampas all go in for European style. All the necessaries of

life have risou enormously. The public lands, even to Patagonia, have been bought up by capitalists and companies ; while Italian emigration is pouring in like a deluge. The whole of Italy will be here soon at the rate at which they are coming. Paper currency is still in force-no gold nor silver unless one buys it at 40 to 50 per cent, discount. Looting is the order of the day. All and everyone that can "go it," —Government merchants, shop-keepers, et hoc genusare at it. Everyone does just as lie pleases. It is an awful state of things. How long is it to last? everyoneasks. The late Government borrowed largely, and the country it heavily in debt. Everything is taxed to the utmost, and all are

intent on loot. This is a true picture, and will probably afford a contrast to tho

impressions formed on reading the writings of those •'• boobies" who, having live six months in the city of Buenos Ayrcs, return to England and write a book on South America.